asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give sanction to Drogheda Corporation to raise a loan of £120,000 which is the required contribution from the corporation for the provision of a much needed gym for Drogheda VEC at St. Oliver's Technical College, Rathmullan; if, in the event that permission is not granted in this financial year, the matter will be reviewed favourably in the next financial year; if he is aware that there are approximately 1,000 students attending this college and that no recreational facilities are provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers . - Drogheda Technical College Recreational Facilities .
690.
: Due to the necessity to conserve available resources for priority services such as housing, roads, and sanitary services, there are no funds at my disposal which would enable me to sanction the loan requested at present. Any future applications for loans will be considered in the light of the capital allocation available to my Department. I would point out that the contribution proposed by Drogheda Corporation relates to the provision of a sports hall larger than that which would be required solely for school purposes. In general, the provision of recreational facilities for schools themselves is a matter for the Department of Education.